earthspun

earthspun

Making ethical choices just as convenient and appealing as fast fashion.

Making ethical choices just as convenient and appealing as fast fashion.

We Have a Shopping Problem.

The sustainable fashion landscape is growing,
but it remains overwhelming and confusing for many consumers.

The sustainable fashion landscape is growing,
but it remains overwhelming and confusing for many consumers.

Meanwhile, fast fashion brands dominate because they are saturated, searchable, convenient, and visually appealing.​​

Meanwhile, fast fashion brands dominate because they are saturated, searchable, convenient, and visually appealing.​​

Ethical consumers often wonder...

Is this material actually sustainable? Can I trust this brand? Where was this made? Why does every website measure sustainability differently?

Why it's So Difficult

Ethical brands lack visibility. Research is overwhelming. Labels are confusing. Terms like “eco-friendly,” “recycled,” or “carbon neutral” lack standardization.

So… I designed an app!

EarthSpun: a shopping experience helping users discover and understand ethical brands without the overwhelm.

EarthSpun: a shopping experience helping users discover and understand ethical brands without the overwhelm.

app goals:

Cluster verified ethical brands onto one platform

Build trust through transparency

Build trust through transparency

Simplify sustainability metrics into clear, visual cues

Simplify sustainability metrics into visual cues

Filter by user values (materials, certifications, etc...)

Filter by user values (materials, certifications)

What Sparked the Idea

I previously worked at a small local boutique, where most inventory came from fast-fashion suppliers: synthetic fabrics, trendy styles, and minimal transparency around manufacturing. Sustainability was rarely mentioned by staff or customers.

Later, I began working at Faherty, a national retail company and certified B Corporation. From my first day, I noticed a very different culture. The brand was vocal about their use of quality fabrics and customers often asked questions about materials, sourcing, and environmental impact.

A Defining Moment

Many customers I spoke with were actively seeking ethical information before making purchases. Their questions showed a strong desire to shop responsibly, but also revealed how time-consuming or confusing that research can be.

On social media, I saw the opposite: people gravitating toward fast fashion purely for aesthetics, unaware of the environmental consequences.

Consumers want to shop responsibly, but many won’t sift through dozens of brand websites to verify sustainability claims.

Consumers want to shop responsibly, but many won’t sift through dozens of brand websites to verify sustainability claims.

Inside the App

Inside the App

Curated Collections

Curated Collection

Discover products collections that match user preferences.

Discover products collections that match user preferences.

Collections adjust dynamically based on:​

  • Browsing behavior

  • Favorite brands

  • Seasonal trends

  • Past purchases & liked items

"Low-Waste Coastal Styles Just for You"
"Your Regenerative Cotton Capsule Wardrobe"

Brand directory

Brand directory

Brand-specific product browsing.

Brand-specific product browsing.

This feature helps users:

  • Find brands with strong sustainability practices

  • Compare brand metrics

  • Follow a brand over browsing random products

Educational spotlights

informative spotlights

Celebrate brands exceeding in sustainability efforts.

Celebrate brands exceeding in sustainability efforts.

This feature helps users:

  • Build immediate brand trust

  • Celebrate exemplary brands

  • Turn passive browsing into engaging

  • Understand the significance of their purchases

Brand transparency profiles

Brand profiles

Breakdown of materials, certifications, and impact.

Breakdown of materials, certifications, and impact.

To reduce overwhelm, each profile integrates a Sustainability Scorecard summarizing:​

  • Environmental impact & materials

  • Labor, ethics, & transparency

  • Circularity and climate commitment

The Big Picture

Designing this app taught me that good design can both guide decisions and shape values. When something is complicated, people give up. When it's seamless, they engage. Sustainability doesn't have to feel like homework. It can be clear, approachable, even enjoyable.

The interface needed to be beautiful enough that people wanted to use it, fast enough that it didn't slow down their shopping, and trustworthy enough that they believed the information it provided.

People want to make better choices, they just need the barrier to entry lowered. EarthSpun was my attempt to remove the friction between intention and action, turning "I wish I knew if this brand was ethical" into "Oh, it's right here."

Meaningful solutions come from understanding what people already care about, then designing experiences that make it easier to act on those values.